Since this issue is dedicated to the muscle truck, we had to include something on our R/T project. This truck has been in project truck purgatory for a couple years and we thought this would be the perfect time to charge the battery and wipe the dust off. The R/T has received some bolt-on motor mods and 'Cuda-inspired body parts, which makes for a good looking truck that has enough power to back it up. One of the missing elements to the truck was a paint job that matched its attitude. We sat down at our computers and searched for pictures of early Dodge cars like the 'Cuda, Challenger, and Dart. We ended up taking cues from the '70 'Cuda to come up with our idea. We called Jason Rushforth and passed on what was in our head. He sketched out a rendering featuring the stylized design and now it's finally time to make it a reality.
What's nice about using muscle car styling on a truck is recognition. Just about every gearhead out there can spot rocker stripes from a Mustang or SS stripes from a Chevelle. By taking styling cues from early muscle cars, you get something that looks killer, shows brand loyalty, and can be appreciated by truck and muscle car guys alike.
Since we are only certified to use spray paint, we called in a few professionals: Stefan Amann, owner of Eightball Rods and Choppers, and artist Steve Vandemon.
We have known these guys for years and trust them totally with our project. Stefan and his crew not only tore the truck down and fixed a few dents and dings, they also laid down the fresh basecoat and clear. Steve came in to show off his layout skills and spray our Mopar-inspired graphics.
This story will walk you through the process of adding a little exterior muscle. We'll also show you some tips, steps, and products, that will help you get great results if you choose to do the job yourself.
1. After the truck was torn...
1. After the truck was torn down, a few minor door dings were taken care of, and a fresh coat of the Intense Blue was applied. Then, with the rendering as a guide, Steve started laying out the graphics with 1/8-inch crepe masking tape.
2. The original rendering...
2. The original rendering featured a plain white hood, which Steve said needed something extra. He quickly taped off a design element to break up all the white on the hood. The design will lead your eye straight up to the shaker hood scoop and accentuate that element. This is why we like working with Steve; he always has a good idea in his head.
3. With the front stuff laid...
3. With the front stuff laid out, he moved onto the rear scallops. Steve began by setting the vertical portion of the scallop first. Then, he did the lower spear followed by the upper. The lower follows the hard bodyline while the upper sits in the bulge of the rear quarter. This technique will accentuate the lines of the R/T instead of fighting against them.
4. Here are a couple of masking...
4. Here are a couple of masking tips that will help produce a clean finished design. Instead of taking the time to carry the design through the entire door jam, stop the design about a 1/2-inch in with a small piece of tape. For the area between the cab and bed, it's a good idea to push the tape and paper deep into the void. In some cases trucks can flex while driving into the booth enough to tear tape and paper if you just go across the gap.